Review – Chasing Charlie by Kathy Carmichael

Genre: Contemporary Romance
Series: The Texas Two Step, Book 1
Bought my copy from Amazon for $0.99 on May 23^rd, 2013

Blurb
Raised in a family of rodeo champions on a South Texas cattle ranch, Charlie wants only one thing: to avoid thrill-seeking cowboys.

Davis Murphy, cowboy wannabe and one of Dallas’s most eligible bachelors, needs a pretty and witty faux fiancée so his widowed mother will marry her longtime gentleman friend.

Charlie, his local librarian, seems the prefect choice.

Charlie’s first reaction is to run, but she’s promised herself to step out of her plain-jane routine.

When Charlie accepts, Davis’s plan is set. But now Charlie’s sweet ways are challenging his bachelor heart.

Thoughts
I loved this book. It cracked me up. I love cowboys, and even though Davis isn’t really a cowboy yet, Charlie’s brothers, more than make up for it. I can’t wait to read their stories.

Charlie has been raised on a ranch and wants nothing to do with cowboys. They are the forbidden fruit. Davis is in no way ready to settle down. After figuring out that his mother won’t marry the man she’s in love with until he settles down, he propositions Charlie, whom he only knows through the library.

This book was fun, but definitely had its serious moments. I can’t wait to read more from this author and this series.

Rating: 4.5 stars
Reviewed by Slinky

Contact the Author: Website | Facebook | Twitter | Goodreads
Buy the Book: Amazon ($0.99) | B&N ($2.99)

Review – Rescue Me by Farrah Rochon

Genre: Contemporary Romance
Series: The Holmes Brothers Trilogy, Book 3
Bought my copy from Amazon for $4.29 on May 24^th, 2013

Blurb
Originally published by Dorchester Publishing, February 2009

In a few months, Alexander Holmes saw both of his younger brothers find love, but the hardworking owner of Holmes Construction has no desire to follow in their footsteps. Alex had his chance at wedded bliss, and all he ended up with was a whole lot of heartache…and a precious baby girl. Unfortunately, his sweet little pumpkin has turned into a little monster at school. Suddenly, Alex finds himself in a brand new role: parent volunteer.

Renee Moore moved to New Orleans to help her aunt rebuild after her home was destroyed by Hurricane Katrina. When she accepts a job as the new Special Projects Coordinator at St. Katherine’s School, Renee looks forward to molding all those young minds. What she doesn’t expect is to fall for the sexy single father of one of her students. When Alex Holmes offers to help in rebuilding her aunt’s home, Renee knows she’s found a man worth his weight in gold. All she has to do is convince him to open his heart to love again.

Thoughts
I couldn’t wait to read this book. It was the one I wanted to read the most out of the whole series. I loved Alex. It was a good story, but after reading the first two, it was pretty predictable. I still liked the book. I loved that Alex finally found someone who will love him and show him how it feels to be loved. He deserves it after everything he does for everyone in his life. Renee deserves it as well. After the childhood she had, she has a lot to overcome.

Rating: 4 stars
Reviewed by Slinky

Contact the Author: Website | Facebook | Twitter | Goodreads
Buy the Book: Amazon ($4.29) | B&N ($4.99)

Review – Deliver Me by Farrah Rochon

Genre: Contemporary Romance
Series: The Holmes Brothers Trilogy, Book 1
Downloaded my free copy from Amazon May 23rd, 2013

Blurb
LEAVING AN IMPERFECT PAST…
Monica Gardner is starting over. The broken-hearted St. Louis native has nothing left at home any longer: her future is being an ER doctor at a New Orleans hospital. Her first day makes for a bumpy start as she continually runs into handsome but irascible Dr. Elijah Holmes—a man who could make her change her mind about finding true love.

FOR NEW EXPECTATIONS
For years, Dr. Eli Holmes has been living up to his own high expectations—and is burning himself out in the process. The only time this “Super Doc” ob-gyn slows down is to notice the beautiful eyes of a newcomer, Dr. Gardner. He’s pleased to know that she’s more than just a pretty face, she’s also an ace physician. When they work together, sparks fly. But with both Monica and Eli trying to hard not to fall in love, they realize they can’t resist this affair of the heart.

Thoughts
I read the second book in this series and couldn’t wait to read the first and last book. I really liked the second book and couldn’t wait to read about Elijah and Alex’s story. I almost read Alex’s story first, but changed my mind. I wanted to see how Elijah and Monica got together.

I loved that these two wanted to fight their attraction, especially Monica. She didn’t trust easily, since she was burned before. Deliver Me had a good story line, even if it was pretty predictable.

Rating: 4 stars
Reviewed by Slinky

Contact the Author: Website | Facebook | Twitter | Goodreads
Buy the Book: Amazon ($0.00) | B&N ($2.99)

Review – The Wolf on the Hill by Jorja Lovett

Genre: Paranormal Romance
Series: The Wild Irish Wolves Series, Book 1
Bought my copy from Amazon for $0.99 on May 23rd, 2013

Blurb
Can two stubborn wolf shifters let down their guards long enough to take a chance on love?

Lone wolf Caleb Jackson is only back in town long enough to sell his late father’s house, and the bad memories with it. He never expected to find his mate.

Good girl Mia Blake never behaves badly. Except for the time she shifts into her wolf, chases a stranger through Olcan Hills, and has the hottest sex of her life on the forest floor.

He has no desire to settle down. She is afraid to upset her family. But, with someone determined to destroy Caleb’s inheritance, and his secret fling with Mia getting hot and heavy, moving on isn’t as easy as he’d hoped.

Can either of them let down their guards long enough to take a chance on love?

Thoughts
I loved shifter romances and give me a wolf shifter ANY day. I can’t get enough. I was excited to read this book. This book was ok, not great. Everything was resolved way too easily for me. I wish there was more drama and that the conflict that was there would’ve been drawn out more. I think the author could’ve expanded on a lot in the book. I wish Mia would’ve told Caleb she witnessed his secret from the past. I think it should definitely be brought to the light. I think the whole town would look at him differently if they all knew.

Review – Release Me by Farrah Rochon

Genre: Contemporary Romance
Series: The Holmes Brothers Series, Book 2
Downloaded my copy for free on May 22^nd, 2013

Blurb
Originally published by Dorchester Publishing, June 2008

Tobias “Toby” Holmes was destined for NBA stardom. But when an SUV crashed into his car during his rookie year, his dreams of playing pro-basketball, along with his spine, were shattered. After floundering from one job to another, Toby has finally found his niche in the music business. And when the singing sensation he discovered is pegged to star in a new reality TV show, Toby finally sees light at the end of what has been a very dark tunnel.

Sienna Culpepper has loved her childhood best friend forever, though he has never seen anything other than the girl with skinny legs, cornrows, and mad skills on the basketball court. When Toby returns to their hometown of New Orleans to start his career as a record producer/manager, Sienna is resigned to loving him from afar. However, when Sienna and Toby find themselves working together, feelings arise that has them both rethinking their friendship.

Thoughts
Basketball is my favorite sport, so I had to check this out. I’m really glad I did, even if basketball played really no part in this story. My husband is from New Orleans, so I love when romance novels take place there and I especially love when it’s post-Katrina.

I don’t know how Sienna came out as well-balanced as she did other than her sister Ivana and her grandmother. Her mother is a Witch with a capital B. I can’t imagine a mother like that. I don’t understand how a woman could do what she does. She is an ungrateful and spiteful woman. Sienna is a beautiful woman who always puts everyone ahead of herself.

Toby has had it rough. He was headed for the NBA when an automobile accident took his lifelong dream from him. He is lost until he finds a great musical talent in Aria and becomes her manager.

Sienna and Toby were best friends all through high school. Once they went to college, they drifted apart. When they start a business relationship, Toby starts noticing that Sienna is not the same tomboy. I didn’t know if these two were ever going to get it together. I’m so glad that they worked it out. I really would’ve liked an epilogue to see how their life turns out. I definitely want to read Alex’s story. He deserves to be loved.

Rating: 4.5 stars
Reviewed by Slinky

Contact the Author: Website | Facebook | Twitter | Goodreads
Buy the Book: Amazon ($4.29) | B&N ($4.99)

Review – Twice Tempted by Marquita Valentine

Blurb
Born into wealth and power, Christian Romanov is Hollywood’s favorite bad boy with a golden touch…until the day his agent receives pictures of the movie star celebrating his birthday in a not-so-legal way. Now he’s been ordered to find a small-town girl to be seen with in order to improve his partying image. He agrees, but for an entirely different reason-to protect the reputation of an organization that helps get teens off the street and back into the school. Not only is he the anonymous donor that’s been solely supporting the organization since its inception, he’s slated to be their newest spokesman.

Zoe Ambrose is a hopeless romantic masquerading as a realist. But she’s also a successful novelist, trying to fit herself into a staid life when what she craves is the adventure she found one night in the arms of a playboy who never knew her name. When her successful crime series is optioned by a major studio, she travels to Las Vegas to find that the prince of her fantasies and single night of pleasure is the main contender for the male lead. But for four years Zoe has been publicly eviscerating the man who left her stranded that night—he’s the villain in her series! Now the movie star doesn’t recognize her, and Zoe is determined to protect her heart this time.

When Christian braves the small town of Holland Springs and Zoe’s overprotective family to win the girl of his dreams, he finds that his Hollywood skills might not cut it—and learns a shocking truth he never imagined. Can he can tempt her again and finally give her the epic love story she has refused to write for herself?

Thoughts
I really liked this story. I loved the fact that this couple had to come to a complete circle in order to be together. Just when you think they have it figured out, the hero’s evil family jumps in and messes it all up. I don’t know how these two got through all the manipulations. I hope Christian’s father gets what he deserves. I’m sure living without his sons will be some justice, but not enough.

Zoe has been in love with Christian for the past four years and he doesn’t even know who she is. I can’t imagine how much that hurts. You would think after everything that they shared he would be able to recognize her. With Christian hiding his insecurities behind his “asshat” façade, Zoe has no doubt he can’t have real feelings for her.

When Christian realizes what he’s done, he is bound and determined to win her back. He won’t take no for an answer. This couple has overcome the machinations of his evil family to keep them apart. I can’t wait to see how Sebastian and Kate work things out. If I were her, I would definitely make him work hard for me.

Review – Greek Lover by Kate Hofman

Genre: Contemporary Romance
Won my copy on September 22, 2012

Blurb
Beth Langham is the personal assistant to her cousin Gloria. Or at least she was until Gloria saw her talking to a man Gloria fancied. Now, stranded with no money, what’s a girl to do?

When Chrysandros Xenakis visits his friends at their art gallery, he is intrigued by Beth who is so different from the brazen women who hit on him all the time. Sparks soon fly.

Chrysandros’ mother has her own ideas for her son’s love life and plots against Beth. Who will prove to be stronger willed?

Thoughts
I love the Greek tycoon meets the ordinary woman and can’t help but fall in love with her story line. This book was an ok rendition of it. It wasn’t the best but I have read way worse. I just couldn’t get into too much. The story was pretty slow going and unbelievable at times. If I was Beth, I don’t know if Chryso would be worth all the trouble she encountered for him. Being sexually assaulted, almost killed, it just seemed a little much. Especially the fact that his mother was the one who almost killed her.

Rating: 2.5 stars
Reviewed by Slinky

Contact the Author: Website | Goodreads
Buy the Book: Amazon ($2.99)

Review – Whisper on a Scream by Cree Walker

Genre: Paranormal Romance
Series: The Sugar and Spice Series, Book 1
Bought my copy from All Romance for $4.49 on August 10^th, 2012

Blurb
The werewolves are dying. Years of war between the Born werewolves and bitten, along with a lack of healthy bloodlines, has taken its toll on the race and if something isn’t done soon they will all be gone within the next fifty years. They are a strong breed, but have one major weakness that will probably end them all.

Werewolves – like their natural counterpart the wolves – breed for life; and if there is no mate, there is no life. A prolonged separation between mates can kill them more efficiently than any bullet ever could.
The Council are playing with fire when they use this very weakness against Sugar Lubec, the Born daughter of two bitten parents, to carry the offspring of Alpha Jack Coon. He is the leader of the largest werewolf pack in North America.

Ending the war between the two groups is the only thing that can save the werewolves and bring Jack and Sugar together. Can they do it before they end up paying the ultimate price for their long separation? Or will that price be the only thing that can end the war?

Thoughts
When I started this book, I almost couldn’t finish reading it. I stopped at 40 pages with the intention of being done with the book. I am glad I didn’t. Sugar Lubec is the heroine that I love the most. This poor girl has had life rough as hell and it just keeps getting worse. I don’t know how she lived through everything she has and is still sane. Not only is she sane, but she’s pretty normal considering.

This book was full of so many twists and turns. I was surprised by what happened so many times in this book, that I just quit trying to figure out what was going to happen. Then the ending, I wanted to SCREAM – NOOOOOO! This was not the HEA I thought would happen. I was devastated last night when I finished the book, only find out that there is a second book that might, and that’s a big might make me happier. I hope the HEA I wanted for this book happens in the next, reading the blurb though, it doesn’t seem like it. I will be holding my breath to see.

Rating: 4 stars
Reviewed by Slinky

Contact the Author: Website | Goodreads
Buy the Book: Amazon ($4.99) | B&N ($4.99) | ARe ($4.49)

Review – Riding High by Zara Stoneley

Genre: Erotic Romance
Won my copy on December 3^rd, 2013

Blurb
An erotic novel with mixed themes including m/f, menage, sex in public and voyeurism.

‘Have wild crazy monkey sex with the first man you bump into.’ Roisin Grant hadn’t intended to follow her best friend’s advice – but, sometimes, what you expect from life and what you get don’t match up. She never expected her husband would have a stash of home-made porn movies, with him in the starring role, or that he would die and leave her bankrupt. And she never expected to be faced with asset-stripper Saul Mathews and a choice. Walk away from her home and equestrian business, or call his bluff and help him deliver riding lessons of an altogether different kind.

Thoughts
Roisin Grant just lost her husband, after finding his sex tape library. The bad thing, he starred in every one (without her). Her best friend tells her to ‘Have wild crazy monkey sex with the first man you bump into.’ As far as Roisin is concerned “wild monkey sex” doesn’t exist. She’s always had nice, polite sex with her husband. Of course, the videos she found show him having wild monkey sex.

Saul Mathews is in town to collect the farm that he bought when he bought Roisin’s husband’s debt. He stops by a pub while looking for a room and finds a hot barmaid. Roisin and Grant are surprised the next day when he shows up at her farm to make her evacuate.

Ms. Stoneley definitely knows how to write chemistry. These two had it in spades, they couldn’t keep their hands off each other. I really like the way she told the story, it flowed very well.

Rating: 4 stars
Reviewed by Slinky

Contact the Author: Website | Facebook | Twitter | Goodreads
Buy the Book: Amazon ($2.99) | B&N ($4.74)

Review – Just for Fun by Erin Nicholas

Genre: Contemporary Romance
Series: The Bradford Series, Book 4
Won during a blog tour on May 15^th, 2013

Blurb
There’s having fun… And then there’s falling in love.

The Bradfords, Book 4

It was a chance meeting, a spontaneous, hot moment, a never-to-be-repeated encounter. So when the gorgeous redhead he knows only as Sugar walks into the bar and heads straight for him, Doug “Dooley” Miller knows he’s in trouble. But he’s sure not going to mind.

She needs a date to some swanky something-or-other. He’s a fish-sticks-and-denim guy, but for a woman who’s not afraid to get naughty in an elevator, he can stand a couple days of smoked salmon and Armani.

Morgan James admits she doesn’t really know Doug, but she needs him to keep her mind—and hands—off her ex. A man who, despite the fact he stole her ideas, she’s afraid could charm her into repeating her mistakes. Only Doug can make her forget the weasel exists. Besides, it’s just this one time.

What started as not even a one-night stand has Dooley feeling things that he’s never felt before. And that’s outside of the bedroom. Don’t even get him started on what’s happening between the sheets. Why does he have a feeling that, as far as flings go, they’re doing something wrong? Then again, if they’re falling in love, they might just be getting that right..

Thoughts
I read the first three books of this series a while back and didn’t realize there were more books until I was asked to pick a book from Erin Nicholas’ back list. I was so excited because I loved the first three books. The whole Bradford clan (even the extended family of friends) is a group I would definitely hang out with. They know what’s important in life.

I really didn’t think these two would ever get their shit together. They were both so stubborn and hard headed. Then their friends didn’t help. I can’t believe they left Dooley hanging like that, after how he helped them. The ending was perfect, and I will definitely be grabbing the next book in the series. Kevin deserves his love as well. I can’t wait to see how his story works out.

All Romance All the Time

Monthly Archives: May 2013